Access to justice begins with access to knowledgeable, trustworthy legal help.
For immigrant families across Colorado—particularly those living in communities where immigration attorneys and affordable legal services are limited—that access can be difficult to find.
That is one reason JAMLAC is committed not only to providing direct legal services, but also to strengthening the people and organizations working alongside us.
On September 17–18, JAMLAC hosted the 2nd Annual DOJ Accredited Representatives In-Person Convening, bringing together 50 participants representing 26 organizations from the Denver Metro area, Southwest Colorado, the Western Slope, Mountain Region, and Eastern Plains.
The convening is part of the continued work of the DOJ Accredited Representatives Network, established in 2024 through a collaboration between JAMLAC, the Office of New Americans, Catholic Charities of Denver, and the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN).
The goal is bigger than any one organization: strengthen Colorado’s network of trusted immigration legal service providers so that more people can access the help they need.
Knowledge That Travels Back Into Our Communities
Over two days, participants received practical training on Hardship Waivers, U Visas and VAWA, T Nonimmigrant Status, and ethical issues in immigration cases.
An Asylum Merits Hearing mock trial gave participants the opportunity to move beyond the classroom and apply their knowledge through hands-on courtroom experience.
The convening also recognized something equally important: those serving vulnerable communities need support themselves.
Sessions addressed mental health, client care, and wellness for DOJ Accredited Representatives, while creating space for participants from different organizations and regions to build relationships, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.
Participants heard from experienced DOJ Fully Accredited Representatives, immigration attorneys, family law attorneys, a former immigration judge, mental health therapists, and a Shamatha meditation practitioner.
Those relationships matter long after the convening ends.
When a representative in one part of Colorado can reach out to an experienced colleague in another, when organizations share knowledge instead of working in isolation, and when experienced legal professionals invest in those entering the field, our entire system of community-based legal services becomes stronger.
It Takes a Legal Community
JAMLAC’s mission calls us to seek justice for people experiencing poverty and oppression. We cannot accomplish that mission alone.
Colorado has attorneys, judges, legal professionals, law students, accredited representatives, nonprofit organizations, funders, and community leaders with tremendous knowledge and experience.
Imagine what becomes possible when more of that experience is shared.
Your time can mentor the next generation of advocates.
Your talent can strengthen the knowledge of people serving communities across Colorado.
Your treasure can help make training, mentorship, and access to legal services possible.
Whether you can volunteer your legal expertise, provide mentorship or training, partner with JAMLAC, or financially support this work, there is a place for you in expanding access to justice.
Because an hour of knowledge shared with one advocate can ultimately reach many more families.
We are deeply grateful to The Colorado Health Foundation, Hector Gonzalez, Sulma Mendoza, David N. Simmons, Caleb Stewart, Maria Belen Albuja, Former Immigration Judge Andrea Koppenhofer, Mariah Melena, Alexander Holmes, Perla Duran, and Pushpa Gurung for investing their time and expertise in this year’s convening, and to every participant who traveled from communities across Colorado to be part of it.
Justice is not the work of one attorney, one organization, or one community. It is something we build together.
Join Us
If you are a legal professional looking for a meaningful way to use your skills, we invite you to connect with JAMLAC.
Give your time. Share your talent. Invest your treasure. Help us expand access to justice across Colorado.
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